ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
A Fairbanks man faces federal charges for allegedly plotting to kill a U.S. District judge and the judge’s family. Investigators say 56-year-old Lonnie Vernon threatened Judge Ralph Beistline in retaliation for an unfavorable ruling in a civil tax case involving Vernon and his wife.
According to court documents, the government claims Vernon failed to pay a total of $165,000 in federal taxes. Prosecutors sought to foreclose on Vernon’s home in an attempt to pay for the debt.
The Alaska State Troopers, local police and federal agents arrested Vernon and four others Thursday in connection with murder conspiracy and kidnapping plot, including: Francis “Schaeffer” Cox, Karen Vernon, Coleman Barney, and Michael Anderson. The group faces felony conspiracy charges and weapons charges.
In addition to the judge kidnapping plot, investigators found extensive plans by the group to kidnap or kill Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers say the individuals had done extensive surveillance on their targets. The five are expected to be arraigned Friday afternoon.
Fairbanks Police Chief Laren Zager says those arrested are members of the Sovereign Citizens Movement. A group, the FBI describes as anti-government extremists who believe they don’t have to answer to government authority, including: courts, the IRS, or law enforcement, according to an a FBI report from April 2010.
